Psychology

Psychology Major

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Whether your interest is in helping others or better understanding yourself, the field of psychology is applicable across many areas of one’s life. For example, what does managing a team of employees, training a new puppy, and sticking to one’s New Year’s resolution have in common? All experiences could be successful with applying Skinner’s principles of operant conditioning. Thus, psychology provides the insight to better understand ourselves and our wide network of relationships.

Operating within the strong liberal arts structure at Franklin College, the Psychology program teaches students a scientific way of understanding and solving problems. The Psychology program strives to:

provide students with a broad knowledge base in psychology

engage students in practical applications of that knowledge base

enable students to develop methodological competence and ethical sensitivity

encourage students to play an active role in their education both inside and outside of the classroom.

offers mentorship to assist students in gaining employment and admittance into graduate programs.

Students completing the psychology curriculum at Franklin College can be expected to:

attend to and appreciate the many factors that contribute to human diversity

think scientifically about behavior

recognize the distinction between facts and interpretations of factual information

be knowledgeable and independent decision makers on problems that involve behavior

demonstrate effective communication skills

be well-prepared to pursue diverse post-baccalaureate goals.

Program Highlights

A unique facet to the Psychology Program at Franklin College is that each student will have completed an individualized research project and presented his/her findings at a regional research conference prior to graduation. An annual trip to Chicago allows students the opportunity to attend the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference. Students can also expect individual attention and mentoring from the department for post-graduation experiences.

Bridging the psychology and biology departments, the interdisciplinary neuroscience minor provides students with a foundation of courses focused on the brain and nervous system. This program of study culminates in an individual research project or neuroscience-related internship.

While everybody benefits from the findings of psychology at some point in their life, certain careers focus on the science and practice of the field. These career options include conducting social-scientific research, counseling, marketing, teaching, child development, conducting psychological testing and assessment and fulfilling specific duties in the legal field.

Student Experience

“My undergraduate work made my first semester of graduate school so much easier because I had a solid foundational knowledge of psychology. My major also helped me find a part-time job in the counseling field so I can gain hands-on experience while working toward my master’s degree. My experiences throughout the Psychology Program helped me to stand out among other graduate school applicants and to have the ability to work in the counseling field now.” – Cristy Williams | Class of 2012

Special Programs

Franklin College has a chapter of Psi Chi, the international undergraduate honor society for psychology majors and minors. Membership entitles students to be eligible for scholarships at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There is also support for conference travel and participation.

Graduate School Admission:

Butler University, Ball State University, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Depaul University, Eastern Kentucky University, IUPUI, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kingston University (London), Middle Tennessee State University, Rosalind Franklin University, University of Indianapolis, University of Kentucky, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Xavier University

Programs

Internships

Students can take advantage of Winter Term and summer internships, which provide them first-hand experience in job settings in their field, as well as an opportunity to develop and practice learned skills. Students may also enroll in internships for credit during regular semesters. Internship options reflect students’ specific areas of interest; students work with the director of career services and the psychology faculty to secure an internship. Past internships have included:

Drug and alcohol treatment programs

Elementary, middle and high schools for school and guidance counseling; also school psychology